“PASTRY CHEF” KILLER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR MURDER
19 SEPTEMBER 2025
“PASTRY CHEF” KILLER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR MURDER
Johannesburg – The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division in Johannesburg, has convicted and sentenced Sibusiso Zitha (41) for the murder of his former girlfriend, Thembekile Letlape, affectionately known as The Pastry Chef. The sentence comes Zitha pleaded guilty to the charge and was accordingly found guilty as charged and sentenced to 15 years.
Letlape and Zitha had been in a domestic relationship and lived together in Fourways. Investigations by Sergeant Ledwaba revealed that, on 30 May 2024, during an argument while Letlape was preparing food in their home, Zitha violently attacked her. In the presence of his 10-year-old daughter, who was watching a movie at the time, the accused took multiple knives and stabbed the victim several times in her face and chest. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
The State called Dr. Kgosi Letlape, the father of the deceased, who testified that his daughter had repeatedly expressed her desire to leave the abusive relationship but remained in the toxic household, even though she was never married to the accused. State Advocate Abel Ramokoma requested the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence. However, the court deviated, considering the accused’s remorse, his guilty plea, acceptance of responsibility, confession to the police, the fact that he has minor children and the time he had already spent in custody.
The NPA welcomes the sentence handed down by the Court as it sends a strong message that acts of gender-based violence will not be tolerated. While the court exercised its discretion in deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence, the NPA remains committed to ensuring that justice is served and that the voices of victims and their families are heard and respected throughout the judicial process.
Issued by:
Phindi Mjonondwane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division, Johannesburg
083 402 4787 / 011 220 4245